Chocolate Fondue: A National Day Of Decadence

National Chocolate Fondue Day is celebrated on 5 February. It is a non-official holiday that encourages people to indulge in chocolate fondue and spend time with family and friends. The dessert is a spin-off of the traditional Swiss cheese fondue, which was created in the 1800s as a way to use up hardened cheese. The chocolate version, on the other hand, is believed to have originated in the 1960s at the Suisse Chalet in New York City.

National Chocolate Fondue Day is celebrated on February 5 each year

Chocolate fondue is the dessert version of the traditional Swiss dish, which uses cheese as a dip. It is thought that chocolate fondue was first created in the United States in the 1950s or 1960s. The dish is often associated with Konrad "Konni" Egli, a Swiss restaurant owner in 1960s New York City. Egli is said to have created a chocolate fondue with Swiss Toblerone chocolate and German cherry brandy (kirsch).

National Chocolate Fondue Day is a day for people to indulge their sweet tooth and get creative with their favourite sweets. It is an opportunity to gather with friends and family and enjoy chocolate fondue, either at home or in a restaurant. Traditional foods to dip into chocolate fondue include fresh fruits such as bananas, strawberries, oranges, and tangerines; small pieces of cake or cookies; and treats like marshmallows, pretzels, and ice cream cubes.

There are many ways to celebrate National Chocolate Fondue Day. People can host a fondue party, either at home or at the office, and provide a variety of foods to dip into melted chocolate. They can also visit a restaurant that serves chocolate fondue, with some restaurants offering special deals or free samples on this day. For those feeling adventurous, chocolate fondue can be made at home by melting bittersweet or semisweet chocolate with heavy cream and, optionally, adding a liqueur like kirsch.

The dessert originated in the 1960s in Switzerland or the US

National Chocolate Fondue Day is observed on February 5 each year. The dessert originated in the 1960s, but its precise origin is a matter of debate. Some sources claim it was invented in Switzerland, while others argue it was the US.

The Swiss Invention Theory

The Swiss invented the original fondue in the 1800s as a way to use up hardened cheese. Typically, this involved melting cheese and wine and serving it in a communal pot. It was promoted as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s.

By the 1950s, the term "fondue" had expanded to include other dishes where food is dipped into a communal pot of liquid. It is believed that chocolate fondue, specifically, emerged in the 1960s in Switzerland.

The US Invention Theory

Other sources claim that chocolate fondue was invented at the Suisse Chalet restaurant in New York City in 1966. The Swiss-born owner and chef, Konrad "Konni" Egli, wanted to promote new dishes at his restaurant. He collaborated with the nearby Swiss National Tourist Office, which was introducing Toblerone chocolate to the US market. Egli's innovation was to melt the chocolate and serve it as a sweet fondue, rather than its traditional savoury counterpart.

A Blend of Both Theories

It is worth noting that the Toblerone chocolate used by Egli was Swiss-made, linking the US invention theory back to Switzerland. Additionally, Egli's restaurant, Chalet Suisse, specialised in Swiss cuisine, further blurring the geographical lines of the dessert's origin.

The word fondue comes from the French word fondre, meaning to melt

National Chocolate Fondue Day is celebrated on February 5 each year. The day encourages people to gather with friends and family and enjoy a sweet twist on the traditional fondue. Instead of melting cheese, chocolate is used as a dip for various treats.

The word "fondue" comes from the French word "fondre", which means "to melt". The dish originated in Switzerland in the 19th century as a way to use up hardened cheese. It became popular for dinner parties in the 1950s, but the chocolate dessert version did not emerge until the 1960s.

Konrad "Konni" Egli, the Swiss owner of a restaurant in 1960s New York City, is credited with inventing the chocolate fondue. Egli wanted to create new dishes to promote his restaurant, Chalet Suisse, and so he decided to make a dessert version of the traditional fondue. He used Swiss Toblerone chocolate and German cherry brandy (kirsch) to create a sweet fondue.

Chocolate fondue is traditionally a wonderful centrepiece for a party. Fresh fruits such as bananas, strawberries, tangerines, apples, oranges, cherries, and raspberries are popular choices for dipping. Small pieces of cookies, cake, pretzels, marshmallows, ice cream cubes, and even other chocolates are also commonly used.

Traditional dippers include fruit, cake, cookies, marshmallows and pretzels

National Chocolate Fondue Day is celebrated on 5 February. The day is all about indulging in some melted chocolate and getting creative with your favourite sweets. Traditional dippers include an array of options, from fresh fruits to cookies and marshmallows.

Fresh fruit is a classic choice for chocolate fondue. Strawberries, bananas, and tangerines are popular options, but you can also dip apples, pears, grapes, pineapple, blueberries, or raspberries. Chocolate-covered fruit is not only delicious but also provides some health benefits, as fruit is an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients.

Small pieces of cake or cookie are also traditional dippers for chocolate fondue. These sweet treats can be skewered and dipped into the melted chocolate, creating a decadent and indulgent dessert. Cake and cookies provide a contrast in texture and taste when paired with the creamy chocolate.

Marshmallows are another popular choice for chocolate fondue. They add a sweet and fluffy texture to the chocolate experience. You can use regular marshmallows or explore different varieties like coconut marshmallows for a more tropical flavour.

Lastly, pretzels are a savoury option to balance out the sweetness of the chocolate. Pretzels provide a crunchy texture and a salty flavour that pairs surprisingly well with chocolate.

So, on National Chocolate Fondue Day, feel free to experiment with these traditional dippers and create your own unique combinations. Whether you choose fruit, cake, cookies, marshmallows, pretzels, or a mix of them all, you're sure to have a delightful and indulgent celebration.

You can celebrate by hosting a fondue party or going to a restaurant

National Chocolate Fondue Day is celebrated annually on February 5. It's a non-official holiday that encourages people to indulge in chocolate fondue and spend time with family and friends.

Chocolate fondue is a dessert version of the traditional Swiss fondue, where a variety of foods are dipped into melted cheese. For chocolate fondue, pieces of fruit, cake, cookies, marshmallows, pretzels, and other treats are dipped into melted chocolate. It's a fun and interactive way to enjoy a sweet treat and is perfect for sharing with others.

You can celebrate National Chocolate Fondue Day by hosting a fondue party at your home or workplace. Here are some tips to make it a success:

• Set up a fondue station with different kinds of melted chocolates and chocolate flavours. You can use a fondue pot or a small burner to keep the chocolate warm.
• Provide a variety of dippers such as fresh fruits (strawberries, bananas, tangerines, oranges, apples, etc.), cake, cookies, marshmallows, pretzels, and even ice cream cubes.
• Encourage guests to bring their own unique dipper ideas and create a friendly competition for the best fondue recipe.
• Use skewers, toothpicks, or fondue forks for dipping. Remind guests to use their utensils only to bring food from the fondue pot to their plates and not to double-dip.
• For a festive touch, set up a fondue fountain that guests can enjoy.

If hosting a party isn't your style, you can celebrate by going to a restaurant that serves chocolate fondue. Some restaurants specialise in fondue, offering a variety of fondue options and special deals for National Chocolate Fondue Day. You can indulge in this sweet treat without having to worry about the preparation or clean-up.

Whether you choose to host a fondue party or enjoy a night out at a restaurant, National Chocolate Fondue Day is all about embracing your sweet tooth and sharing a delightful dessert experience with loved ones.

Frequently asked questions